Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has
remarked “if government can do nothing but it should do at least to ask
his allied parties to express dissociation with armed groups.
He
gave these remarks while presiding over a 5-member bench of Supreme
Court (SC) during the course of hearing of suo motu case of Karachi
violence here Tuesday,.
The other members of the bench were
Justice Ghulam Rabbani, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Anwar Zahir
Jamali and Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani.
Attorney General (AG)
said during his arguments “we have to explore the answer to this
question if constitution has been violated or other wise in Karachi. If
it was so then it should be ascertained if violation was committed by
political parties or government institutions. Whatever step will be
taken in Karachi for restoration of peace it will be taken in line with
constitution, AG said. Only federal or provincial government can call
in army, he added.
Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani while giving
arguments said “ To your view if army should be called in Karachi to
restore peace or otherwise.
AG said to his personal viewpoint there is no need to call in army. Policy has potential that it can restore peace.
Justice
Sarmad Jalal Usmani said “what steps have been taken by you to
depoliticise police. Court is keeping watchful eye on it.
Advocate
General (AG) Sindh Abdul Fateh Malik said police officers who had taken
part in 1992 operation were still scared. 92 police personnel had been
killed so far and their families were also receiving life threats, he
told. Police had no infrastructure. What expectations you can make from
police, he submitted. We have asked IG and DG Rangers to take
indiscriminate action, he added.
CJP inquired from AG if
provincial government was protecting fundamental rights of people and
if the compensation was being given to the family members of victims of
target killings.
Attorney General said government has no such
policy. However he will talk to chief minister on the issue of payment
of compensation to people.
Advocate General Sindh said
criminals raise their heads strongly in civil governments. Thousands of
people were killed during Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto regimes. But
peace prevailed during Musharraf regime , he said.
Babar Awan
advocate said he supports suo motu action but no notice was taken of
October, 18 incident despite submission of application.
CJP
said “ you should not speak without obtaining information. Notice was
taken of October, 18 incident but it could not he heard due to
suspension of judges on November 3. Online
